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Sugar tax could save a generation of Scots

Scotland has led the way in tackling smoking and drinking so why is the government not addressing the obesity crisis?

Dani Garavelli

July 1 2015, 1:01am, The Times

You have to hand it to Jamie Oliver: he may have all the subtlety of an overgrown puppy with a new chew toy, but he knows how to attract the public’s attention. Whether he’s waging war on the Turkey Twizzler or encouraging those on benefits to learn how to cook, he has an infectious energy that makes people and politicians sit up and listen. However much his mockney accent or boyish enthusiasm grates, there is no denying that his gimmicky approach has driven the debate on healthy eating and the obesity crisis.

Oliver’s latest stunt is characteristically provocative: he has imposed a 10p levy on sugary drinks served in his restaurants in protest at the UK government’s apparent unwillingness to introduce a national sugar tax.…